Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (Spain)

The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia opens

two Ph.D. fellowships in the field of Computational Heterogeneous Catalysis in the group of Prof. Nuria Lopez.

The positions are financed within the Marie Sklodowska Curie Innovative Training Network (ITN) ELCOREL.
The successful candidate must have a Master degree* in Chemistry (Theoretical, Physical) or Physics, must be in the first 4 years of his/her research career and meet the mobility eligibility criteria as outlined by the Marie Curie ITN rules**. An experience in computational/theoretical chemistry and the use of Unix-based operating systems is an advantage.
The positions are intended for 36 months. The fellowships provide a monthly stipend and also cover also the tuition fees for the enrolment in the PhD programme of the University Rovira i Virgili.

The individual projects are focused on:
Project 1: Modelling and mapping pathways of electrochemical CO2 reduction. The work will consist on the detailed identification of the reaction routes able to convert CO2 into useful products. The simulations will encompass the study of the surface, the reaction networks and most likely reaction paths and the investigation of possible modifications to improve performance through the massive use of theoretical simulations based on Density Functional Theory.

Project 2: Molecular catalysts for CO2 reduction to CO and HCOOH. The work will be devoted to the study of molecular-based catalysts for the reduction of CO2 to suitable intermediates including CO and formic acid. For this a close collaboration with experimental groups will be envisaged and two secondments are foreseen. The possibilities to implement the molecular properties to a heterogeneous matrix will be investigated.

Applications for the positions have to be submitted electronically.
Su ccessful applications must contain
1) Structured CV (with list of publications and scientometric data) including information on expected date of graduation
2) Motivation letter containing names and email of 2 references,
3) Certified copy of the MSc Diploma or Transcript of studies.

Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled; full attention will be guaranteed to the applications registered before May 1st 2017.